Excel not saving anymore

Question

My excel spreadsheet no longer can save. it's asking me to buy microsoft 365 but I bought home and business in Janaury. help!

Answer 1

Excel is likely running in reduced functionality mode because activation or the license check is failing, even though a valid Home & Business license was purchased.

Use these steps to restore full functionality:

1. Confirm the license is active
   • Sign in to the Microsoft account that was used to buy Office Home & Business.
   • Go to the subscriptions/services page and verify that the perpetual license (Home & Business) is listed and active.
2. Make sure the correct account is used in Excel
   • Open Excel.
   • Go to File > Account.
   • Check the user account shown under User Information.
   • If it is not the account that owns Home & Business, sign out and sign in with the correct account.
3. Refresh or update the license in the app
   • In File > Account, use the option to Update license or Reactivate (wording may vary by version).
   • Sign in again with the account that owns the Home & Business license.
4. If Excel still shows subscription or “buy Microsoft 365” messages
   • Confirm again that the subscription or license is active for the signed-in account.
   • If the subscription or license is correct and the message persists, remove Office from the device and reinstall it while signed in with the correct account.

If after these steps Excel still reports that the subscription is canceled or asks to buy Microsoft 365, contact Microsoft support with the account and purchase details so they can correct the license association.

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References:

• A subscription notice appears when I open a Microsoft 365 application
• When opening Word or Excel, getting a 'subscription canceled' message but I have renewed my Office subscription - Microsoft Q&A